What is the life insurance medical exam like?

A licensed paramedical examiner meets you at a convenient location. They record your height, weight, and blood pressure, ask about medications and recent health, and draw a small blood sample from your arm. You also provide a urine sample.

The visit is quick and non-invasive. You do not need to fast in most cases, though some carriers ask you to avoid food or coffee for a few hours beforehand, so follow the instructions you receive.

The lab looks at markers tied to life expectancy, including cholesterol, blood sugar, nicotine or cotinine, and indicators of liver or kidney function. The results are shared only with the insurer and your examiner.

Your answers and lab results should agree. If a marker such as cotinine appears but you did not list nicotine use, it can delay approval or raise your rate.

A few simple steps help: hydrate well, avoid alcohol for 24 hours, skip heavy or fatty meals before the draw, and postpone the exam if you are fighting an acute illness. Being well rested can also keep blood pressure readings lower.